 |
| As a math instructor, I face many challenges in my classroom– math anxiety, dislike of math, and disparities in preparation. Typically, the “outside” world rarely infiltrates our discussions. However, everything changed on November 9, 2016, when student reactions to the election blindsided me. I was unprepared, and it did not go well.
I know many of you are more informed and better prepared to handle such issues, and for that, I am grateful. But if you, like me, don’t normally address contentious current events in your classroom, I suggest creating a game plan just in case. The “Teaching After an Election” resource from the Center for Teaching Excellence at Boston College is a great starting point. Or have a look at this recent article in the Chronicle, “Students resent professors who ignore public events.” Looking for something closer to home? Consider attending the October 24th CfLT Teaching Matters session, When Current Events and your Classroom Collide. By equipping ourselves with the right tools and strategies, we can transform unexpected classroom challenges into opportunities for growth and learning for everyone, including ourselves. |